Arising CVâ€™s & Drive Shaft issues for models 02-04. READ

Jeep Dawg · **Posted:** Thu Jul 03, 2008 12:43 pm

To all my Bothers and Sisters here at the wonderful L.O.S.T KJ/KK site

Lately I have been noticing many reports of people starting to have problems with their CV’s and Drive shafts. Not only here on the L.O.S.T site, but other Jeep sites as well.

Since early May I have had nothing but problems with my front Drive Shaft, Rear Drive Shaft, both front CV and half Shafts. And as recent my Rear Differential just went bad.
I just got done replacing my rear Drive Shaft and Differentials, 2 days later it seems that my front Drive Shaft is going bad again (was replace less than 2 months ago).
The last time I went wheeling was the last week in April and when I was done the next day I cleaned and inspected everything. Nothing looked to be wrong. Ever since that day I have had all these problems. Also have not wheeled since this started.
The reason for this posting today is to see exactly how many of you guys are having this very problem. Either it being only CV’S, Drive Shafts front and rear.
So far from the postings I have been reading from here and other sites, these problems are coming for 02-04 KJ’s.

Can we get you guys to respond with your problems, and what you have done to this point. And also list your suspension/wheels upgrades and how many miles on it. Maybe we cab isolate the problem.
We did it for the 1st round of the LBJ’s
Let’s see what we can come up with.

_____________________________________________________________
JeepDawg
2003 KJ Sport
Frankenlift II With HD Coils Rancho Shocks
245/75/16x8 on Moab’s
Installed Frankenlift II at 96,XXX
Just started to have problems weeks before the lift.
Currently 121,xxx on the KJ now. Drove 25,xxx miles on new suspension.

Replaced:
Both CV’s and half shafts 2 times
Front Drive Shaft, getting ready to do it again. Going bad in less than 2 months
Rear Drive Shaft and rear Differentials. Was replaced last week 6/28/08
_____________________________________________________________

Brian

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 03, 2008 12:48 pm

Have the driveshafts balanced,or check the balance.Might be time to be looking at your t-case for the root of the problems.

Jeep Dawg · **Posted:** Thu Jul 03, 2008 12:53 pm

DONE,DONE and DONE.

I had an aamco place check the t-case and nothing was wrong.

I had the rear DS replaced 2 days ago and now the front is making noise at higher speeds.

03kjsport · **Posted:** Thu Jul 03, 2008 12:57 pm

no probs here, knock on wood. i got my 03 in oct of 02. early release out of phil long of littleton colorado.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 03, 2008 1:07 pm

Jeep Dawg wrote:

DONE,DONE and DONE.

I had an aamco place check the t-case and nothing was wrong.

I had the rear DS replaced 2 days ago and now the front is making noise at higher speeds.

Then start really looking at your bushings,not just suspension bushing(check those to,rear suspension first) but the one's that are in the front diff mounts,check the tranny/t-case mount,and engine mounts.All of those can cause vibs if they are worn or broken.Heck it may just be your exhuast.

Biggest thing is stay out of the mud,mud will destroy everything,bushings included,and throw of everythings balance.I bet I could still wash 10lbs+ of mud from under your KJ,you may not see it but I know where to look for it.

KW AV8R · **Posted:** Thu Jul 03, 2008 8:42 pm

I have an '04 Sport with a Daystar lift on it since the day I bought it. I've wheeled heavily in the Rockies and at Moab. I'm now sitting at about 45K miles and, to date, not had a single issue with my driveshafts, half shafts, or CV joints (knock on wood).

USPLibby · **Joined:** Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:29 am **Posts:** 377

Yeah, I had a chunk of cow poop stuck on my rim and it wobbled like crazy until it fell off then everything was smooth again.

I am going to replace my half shafts soon and install the JBA 4.5 upper A arms. I have too much lift in front 3"+ and I'm starting to get some grinding sounds on tight turns.

LIV42DY · **Posted:** Fri Jul 04, 2008 10:52 pm

MUD!!! MUD!! Being from Jersey I spent a lot of time in the Pine Barrens, its all Mud and Sand its get in you Busshings, into your universal joints, get trapped in your coils, radiator, front shaft, sticks to the inside of your rims , gets traped in between the folds on your front CV boots and if you leave it there long enough it will sand them down in the folds and crack them. If you leave it long enough it turns into ..I swear Concrete..I had to go out and buy a Power Washer just to blow the stuff off. But you need to learn excactly where it sticks, once you learn you can clean it and reduce any issues.

BeepBeepJeepJeep · **Posted:** Sat Jul 05, 2008 1:51 pm

I have an 03 with 125k (Bought it at 108). I have replaced the driveshaft once (was bad when I bought it) and have had zero issues with the CV joints.

Edit: I mud a lot.

David Jr · **Posted:** Sat Jul 05, 2008 3:06 pm

No problems here.

Guest · **Posted:** Sat Jul 05, 2008 4:54 pm

110k and change, no issues with the drivetrain whatsoever...aside from a noisy hub assembly...and that damned *kkkkkkt* when you shift from park or neutral into gear.

Stupid Mopar :lol:

03CDKJ · **Posted:** Sat Jul 05, 2008 5:48 pm

03 sport... 133,400 miles ( I do go off roading about 5-8 times a year)

premium frankenlift II
245/75 MT/R's

I've replaced a front diff seal, U joints, tie rod ends, LBJoints (recall),
( I don't think anything else Mechanical...)
My CV's are original... But I do get some knocking sounds while turning....

I'm sure a lot is going to start happening with so many miles...So....
I'm either going to do the SFA conversion... Or get another vehicle.... I can't decide...

Hood297 · **Posted:** Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:59 pm

2003 limited, 92K. 3" rough Country, front CRD springs, Al's upper A-arms, ARB bumper, winch, 3 rear isolators.

Wheeled lightly 2-4 times a month. mainly mud, and sand.

Replaced front driveshaft, passenger CV axle, differential stub shaft, and axle seals.

the CV work has been the first serious problems in its life.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sat Jul 05, 2008 9:07 pm

Oh and have you ever checked to make sure your diffs haven't got water in them to cause bearing failure(since your rear diff already went)?

'02 KJ,63,000miles,wheel the snot out of it,NO MUD(when I used to go mudding it got washed ASAP,I mean I went from the mud hole to the carwash),1 CV failure........................

SFA BABY

kskj · **Posted:** Sun Jul 06, 2008 1:29 am

2004 limited 129,000 miles I go offroading about 8 to 10 times a year,one trip to moab or colorado every year.It does get muddy when i wheel around here . Had to replace front driveshaft at 117,000.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Sun Jul 06, 2008 10:37 am

2002 Liberty. Purchased new

Stock Suspension. No Lift

Used for towing and minor off-roading (minimal mud)

71K miles

No Driveline or CV problems to date.

desertrat · **Joined:** Sun Feb 26, 2006 11:53 pm **Posts:** 25

135,000 miles with a Daystar 2.5 " lift installed 100,000 miles ago; have replaced front CV axles TWICE, replaced front driveshaft once, replaced rear drive shaft U-joints. I'm in the desert, so jeep only sees sand (no mud ever). Vehicle sees consistent off-road, but I don't abuse and I'm careful to consistently powerwash the underside.

Am also interested in the response to this poll.

JeepinMaxx · **Posted:** Sun Jul 06, 2008 7:14 pm

2002 with 114K. RRO OTT 2.5" spacer lift from 2002 to 2005, Rusty's 2.5" spring lift (no clevis) from 2005 to present. Ran 245/75/R16 MTR's on MOABS from 02-mid 07. Running 235/85/R16 Maxxis Bighorns on stock rims from then to present. 1 set of CV shafts and UBJ about a year ago. Wheel moderate trails (our club minimum requirement for 'moderate' rated trails is 31" + 1 locker ) 8- 10 times per year & DD 60 miles per day. Been lifted since 1st oil change :wink:

BeepBeepJeepJeep · **Posted:** Sun Jul 06, 2008 9:54 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

Oh and have you ever checked to make sure your diffs haven't got water in them to cause bearing failure(since your rear diff already went)?

'02 KJ,63,000miles,wheel the snot out of it,NO MUD(when I used to go mudding it got washed ASAP,I mean I went from the mud hole to the carwash),1 CV failure........................

SFA BABY

I'm expecting my front dif to eat itself (due to this exact reason), but I'm not allowed to replace the parts until it does.

When you buy a used truck, please inspect all breathers before taking it off-road

Both of my differential breathers were cracked, but I failed to check them until AFTER I started hearing a "wumwumwumwumwumwumwumwumw" from my rear dif. My rear is replaced already, but since the front is more of a PITA I have to wait. The front isn't nearly as noisy, I suppose because power isn't usually sent to that dif.

rangerd77 · **Joined:** Sat May 03, 2008 10:48 am **Posts:** 512

104,xxx. replaced front and rear DS about 2 weeks ago. along with u-joints, yokes. but no CV's yet. but i am looking to replace them soon. but i am also doing the SFA probably in about 3 months. maybe ill go to CALI from MD, and ALL J's can do it for me (hint,hint,wink, wink)

Arising CVâ€™s & Drive Shaft issues for models 02-04. READ

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